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Umpqua, South - 2. South Umpqua Falls to Boulder Creek Campground

Umpqua, South, Oregon, US

2. South Umpqua Falls to Boulder Creek Campground (Three Falls Run)

Usual Difficulty

II-IV+ (for normal flows)

Length

6.3 Miles

Avg. Gradient

34 fpm

South Umpqua Falls

South Umpqua FallsPhoto taken 06/07/17

Gauge Information

River Description

This trip typically starts out at South Umpqua Falls, but putting in 2 miles higher adds on a
section with the most action. This includes a big class V boulder garden and 2 more slides.
These are described in more detail here.

If you put in at South Umpqua Falls, there is a parking fee. Scout the falls from the
highly established viewing areas. There are two standard line options for the falls.
At high water the left side route is a long and straight forward slide, though at low water
it is pretty scrapey and not as enjoyable. If flows are low, the middle-right side is most
enjoyable, here a pothole part way down the slide creates a fun 10-15 drop. At high water
this pot hole is to be avoided.

Take note, but don't sweat the absolute far right wall. The manmade structure here is
incredibly dangerous, where the falls drops 10 feet into an enclosed retaining wall for a fish
ladder. Fortunately, with knowledge of the hazard, only incompetence would cause a boater
to end up over there. It is easy to make multiple runs down South Umpqua Falls by walking
up the river right bank through the recreation area.

Below South Umpqua Falls is a long stretch of easy floating, the doldrums are finally broken by
an interesting chute along the left wall that is more exciting as flows increase. Another
long stretch of class I & II are broken up by yet another unique South Umpqua Rapid, Hand
of God. Hand of God is a ten foot ramp. At high flows the center hole
is enormous and very sticky, absolutely to be avoided. Fortunately an ultra fun boof exists
on the left. It is easy, and recommended, to lap this drop to your hearts content.

Below Hand of God are more chances to take in the scenery. After another couple
miles of easy floating comes Campbell Falls. Campbell Falls has two
obvious line options, a vertical drop on the right, or a chaotic ramp down the left. Both
lines have been taken, though right is far more common and easier. Laps are again easy
here, so take advantage of the situation and dial in that boof on the right or brace on the left.

The river has a wide range of runnable flows, and different lines are available at different
flows. High water is nice, as it speeds up the easy stuff in between the drop, and
doesn't make the rapids too hard. Here is a video at a healthy medium and rising flow.

StreamTeam Status: Not Verified

Last Updated: 2017-10-04 19:44:37

Editors

Rapid Descriptions

No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.